Quote Originally Posted by Rion View Post
In the lore its specifically mentioned Hammerfell won against the Thalmor because 1) the Thalmor had lost a lot of their army in the previous war 2) Hammerfell had the terrain on their side to an even greater extent than SKyrim has. Skyrim may be a frozen tundra up north, but everyone of the areas were the Redguards beat the Altmer were scorching I]deserts[/I]. 3) The Redgaurds are born warriors to an even greater extent than the Nords and finally 4) several complete imperial legions "deserted" under the emperor's orders to help them win the war.
So, the emperor just sends out foreign aid package to fight against thalmor by disbanding them and leting them join the resistance.